Following the team with a unique perspective on all things Phillies.Email me: PhilliesPhollowers@comcast.net – Peace, Love & Baseball – Jenn

All-Star Game 2009 – The Curse Continues

The curse continues for the National League as they lost their 12th consecutive All-Star Game tonight against the American League.And poor Charlie Manuel became the first Phillies manager in history to lose the All-Star game :O(Phils now hold a record of 6-1.No worries Charlie…just bring us another Championship and all will be forgotten :O)

The first inning did not exactly kick the game off right for the National League as Tim Lincecum struggled and allowed one earned run.An unearned run also scored in the inning after an error.Yes folks, as Albert Pujols booted a ball at first base, an angel lost its wings…and the American League took a 2-0 lead.It’s ok though…we still love Albert :O)

The NL battled back and scored 3 in the 2nd inning thanks to hits by David Wright, Shane Victorino (yeah!) and Yadier Molina.After that, offense all around was fairly quiet until the 8th inning.Curtis Granderson tripled, Victor Martinez was given the intentional walk and then Adam Jones hit a sac fly to score Granderson and give the AL a 4-3 lead.The NL got their shot in the bottom half of the inning; Ryan Howard was sent in to pinch hit with 2 outs and 2 on in the 8th and he went down on strikes to end the threat.Ugh.The ever-adorable Mariano Rivera closed out the game for the AL in the 9th and so, the curse goes on.

As for the rest of the Phillies, Chase Utley went hitless, but had several stellar defensive plays.Victorino ended up 1 for2 with a run scored; Jayson Werth struck out after a great at-bat against Jonathan Papelbon and later, made an amazing running catch in centerfield; and Raul Ibanez went 0 for 2, but looked thrilled anyway just to be playing.It was his first All-Star appearance in his 14th major league season at 37 years of age.Congrats to Raul for finally getting there!

As for the broadcast, FOX was annoying as usual.I think I heard more about Taco Bell and Domino’s Pizza than I did about the game.And while it was nice to hear the President Obama in the broadcast booth, was it really necessary to see him? Don’t get me wrong;I love Obama and all that, but I already know what he looks like.I’d have been just as happy to hear him speak while the game was showed in its entirety on the TV screen, instead of the annoying flashes back and forth from individual pitches to a visual of Obama in the booth.

Pedro – Say It Ain’t So!

Much to the dismay of Phillies fans everywhere, Pedro Martinez passed his physical and has been signed by the Phillies.Pedro will get 1 million plus another possible 1.5 million in incentives.He will need about 3 weeks of rehab and minor league work to be ready.The good news is that the price is cheap; however, we are all familiar with the saying “you get what you pay for.”If Martinez has some magic left in that arm, then this deal will turn out to be a real bargain; if not, at least they did not overpay.

Personally, I worry more about the clubhouse chemistry being disrupted than anything else.Martinez is notorious for his sandpaper-like personality and penchant for creating controversy.If he does not pitch well, no biggie.It was a small investment.But if he wreaks havoc on the peaceful and serene Phillies-vibe, then the deal will not have been worth the risk.We shall see how it goes…

A Day Without Baseball?

So no baseball tomorrow…except for the Double-A All-Star Game in Trenton, NJ.I will be risking life and limb as I venture into Trenton, the dregs of Jersey, but will be attending the game anyway. ;O)Four Phillies prospects will be in the game, with Michael Taylor participating in the Home Run Derby. I will return (I hope) with photos and all body parts still in place.Wish me luck :O)

Chase Utley can play. Man. Wow. Does he do that for the Phillies all the time? You gotta be proud of your boys tonight, despite having to put up with FOX coverage.
Come though…bottom of the 9th, your team is ahead…who else do you want pitching than Rivera?
Canuckhttp://watercooler.mlblogs.com

Chase Utley can play. Man. Wow. Does he do that for the Phillies all the time? You gotta be proud of your boys tonight, despite having to put up with FOX coverage.
Come though…bottom of the 9th, your team is ahead…who else do you want pitching than Rivera?
Canuckhttp://watercooler.mlblogs.com

Albert Pujols did not have the All-Star Game that everyone built him up for – he didn’t win the HR Derby and he didn’t do so well in the ASG itself. I think fans, at times, have unrealistic expectations of the players and it is hard to them to “perform on demand”.

I was sorry that Ibanez did not have more success in his first game. He is one of the good guys out there. I was happy to see him healthy enough to play in the game, but it would have been nice if he could have run the bases a little bit.http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com/

The Florida State League plays tonight.
I think your Clearwater Threshers are hosting the Brevard County Manatees.
This is the perfect day, or maybe tomorrow to write a blog about the expectations or hopes for the second half.
I know I am leaning that direction for the posting tonight for Thursday.
Worst thing is we have a little over 70-ish game left before we start the playoffs all over again………..weeeeeeeeeeee!

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